Technicolor Eulogies

WOW! Steve, I must say, the most unusual read I've come across, and yet, my favorite! Your writing is...well, bloody brilliant, and say that with no sarcasm. I love all that I've read and intend to return and read more. When you make it to editing, (and you will) don't you let them cut up your work, your rule breaking is what makes it "work" I love your style and wish you well with this fine work of art!
Christi Watson
WONDER- A Thief of Life Novel

I must say that this work is very similar to a book I am currently reading called A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Dave Eggers, in two ways. He also discusses the cancer of death of a terminally ill relative. In his case, though, it is his mother. The other similarity is your writing style.

I am by no means saying that you are trying to be Dave Eggers, or are consciously micmicking his style; on the contrary, I think your writing style, sans Eggers, is extremely unique. I like the way you just throw your thoughts down on paper, not constrained to the typical grammatical rules. Although I must say, you obviously know the rules, because you also know how to break them with such class, that it blows my mind. I wish I could write like this.

That said, a couple of nitpicks:

You wrote, "...upon the cd's that we leave..." Remove the apostrophe and capitalize CDs. It is neither possessive nor a contraction.

Also, in the previous sentence that starts, "Gets tangled in hair the dust mites of our skin..." I see where you are going with your unique style...again, just throwing random thoughts down on paper, which of course, really represent your current frame of mind when dealing with your dying mother. But it seems to me to be missing a word somewhere in there. The rest, as random as it is, works for me, but I think you left out a word or two.

Again, your writing style works well, but remember to keep it in perspective. Feel free to break the rules, but make sure it still makes sense.

Unbelievable...
Backed.
Mike

I read the first four chapters
you have undoubted writing skills
this is catcher in the rye on speed
coke whiskey, why aren't you dead?
your family are beautifully drawn, loving, concerned involved
Are you running away from reality or is this your reality?
I am absorbed, impressed, sucked into your life
Backed
Micheal O'Durcain
Murder on the Menu

TECHNICOLOR EULOGIES by Steven Rineer

Steve - Your words are suffused with poetry and creative mystery. They stretch the boundaries of descriptive writing to its extremes. You make the commonplace and the chaotic surface of existence seem miraculous - investing it with a visual dynamic that converts it to variations of perception that are both unexpected and revealing. Reality merges into dreams and dreams transform reality. I took your advice and read the 3 Chapters you recommended. That was not enough: greedilly I read on to the end of Chapter 22. I staggered away: my imagination invaded with countless colourful butterflies. There were different words on all their wings: Art, Light, Life, Beauty, Earth, Sky, Pain.. it was though every word in the dictionary had taken individual flight. Finally, they settled on untouched desert sand and all the words fell into the correct place. As I leaned forward I read the title spelt out on those stilled wings; it read The Perfect Eulogy. But my shadow fell across the multitude: startled, the mass took to the sky and was dispersed. I've got yet another funeral coming up. Someone I loved for a lifetime. The family wish me me to say something. Somehow, like you have, I will find the words. Backed.

Tony Brady - SCENES FROM AN EXAMINED LIFE - Books 1, 2 & 3.

Technicolor Eulogies - Good, honest, down-to-earth writing here that I adore. And you will undoubtedly go through editing *collective sigh*, but as you do remember not to lose your beautiful prose, illuminating scene & character descriptions, or your writing style which is perfect.

Best of luck to you!

Summer D'Vine - Blood of Summer, Shed for You

I got to chapter six, but will be back for more.

I love your narrorator's vioce. I felt in the first paragraph there was some confusion. For example, "Gets tangled in the hair the dust mites of our skin..." That's a confusing sentence and I had to read it a few times. Before we realize how your narrorator speaks, you might want to tone it down so we can get sucked in - then hit us with his crazy. It may be better your way though, I'm no expert. It definitly smoothed out and started flowing for me by the middle of the first chapter, and I was interested enough to keep reading - so who knows. I may be way off.

Because the dialogue is so fast-paced and clever, it is sometimes confusing. Your paragraphs occasionally seem to start and stop at odd places that don't jibe with who is speaking. I think this may be an error, or a glitch from uploading onto Authonomy? Either way, if these were fixed, it would make the writing clearer so we could get through it faster - which I think is the intention with this clever, fast-paced wording.

I found the grandmother and father very intriguiing, but they both use the word "pussy" at times I thought were very insensitive and innapropriate. I can appreciate the positivity of the shock-value of a family that is that open and honest, but it still felt like too much for me. Especially from a grandmother who is speaking to ehr grandson, and a father who is trying to tell his son to wisen up and come to Jesus (so to speak).

Anyways, I mentioned the few things that didn't work for me because EVERYTHING else did. Backed with pleasure.

Katy
The Promenade

Steven,

I really enjoyed reading the opening chapter of 'Techicolor Eulogies.' Here are my thoughts. You've really captured a unique and engaging vernacular, a narrative voice full of colour that really draws the reader into the story. Your use of long, flowing sentences, mixed with short abrupt ones only adds to this. And I found the observational touches 'palm trees black against the falling and still electric sky' beautiful and so effective in evoking time and place. Moreover, the mention of death, 'Nana's eulogy', and the musings on loss are a great way to hook your reader.

A hugely impressive piece of writing.

Happy to give you my backing.

NA 'The Butterfly and the Wheel'

Steve,
I just read chapter 6 and it is a very strong piece of writing. It goes some way beyond your average Authonomy read in my view and is up there with the best I've read in this style of work. It is hard to imagine this not appealing to a publisher or agent although I suppose you could argue that it may not have mass market appeal. I think I can recognise good work, and I know for certain I am not capable of this level of writing, so consequently I have become an admirer. I will give this a run on my shelf very shortly. I think your direction to read certain chapters works and I would probably push people towards 6.
Excellent and I suspect strongly this well get picked up.
Regards Norton

your pitch was excellent and your first line grabbed me. the rest of that paragraph seemed a little distant. kind of like a camera zooming in and out of focus. the beginning of the chapter seemed a bit scattered but started seeming more consistent when you begin describing the drive. is the tense shift intentional? i'll be back nfor later chapters. thanks for the read.

HI Steven! I'm here to read Technicolor Eulogies. Love the name and the cover.
Wow. So, if nana was alive when you wrote the eulogy, did you read it to her?
Interesting questions that you raise.
You write in a unique voice, I like the changes between narrative and dialog, and your descriptions are really well done.
Best wishes for your success! Highly rated.
Monicque
The Multiple Choice
(Thanks for your continued support!)

hi, not really sure why you backed "crow diary", could have been a mistalke, it happens, but it prompted me to take a look at your piece "technicolor eulogies" and i found the first chapter to be eingaging, a good introduction to the subject of mortality is that drive through the desert, i like the idea, how else to attack the subject but in the first person, death can get very personal at times, no one knows when happieness might just break out in this life, always comes unexepectantly whereas death seems to come as expected, that bastard, i see woody allen somewhere here but i am sure it is not you, at least not always, nor is the main character, i understand, maybe too much self dwelling, it would be nice to see the focus change from the inner to something outside the character, readers have enough neurosises, anyway i backed it, becuase the writing is good, it has a great beginning, and it is about time i backed something, if that makes sense

So that's where my pizza went.

First, I will say that hyphens are useful, and you need more of them. Especially as you create such delightful marriages of word: tea-dipped, small-dick-having. I found a few other tidbits; in ch 4 you have a "rpaid" heartbeat, and a "mall" amount of coke (is there such a thing?), and in ch 8 you "chocked" back some bile. Chapter 13 has some odd glitches in spacing that didn't seem intentional. A few other things like this.

None of them slowed me down, because you were so fascinating and intimate and complete in your brokenness that I just read it, all of it, envious of your skill. The parts that could so easily be overwritten and overdone are not. You say exactly enough, and you say it so vividly.

As others have previously said, when one day they seize you and shake you and begin to erode you, remember to hold onto your voice. I've just spent an evening with you in my heart; undressed, loose, an invisible man. I enjoyed every word you posted here. You remind me of someone.

Perhaps you remind me of everyone.

There is such a powerful, distinct voice in this that is truly unique and addicting. It's a smooth, well-written read with a lot of insight into Paul's slightly deranged mind. Amidst his ramblings, there's a sustainable plot, likeable (in a perverse way) character, and vivid setting. Though not a whole lot happens in the first chapter, that's fine. The in-your-face voice, the distinct perspective is the hook, and it works perfectly. I'm curious to see where this goes, if Paul becomes more sympathetic, and what the ultimate outcome is going to be. Good work, Steven.

Brilliant. Your characters have depth and complexity. Your descriptions are effective. Your narrative is fascinating. Your dialogue reads authentic. Clever plotline. Hysterical wit. Your pacing kept me riveted. An exceptional read. Backed.

Great idea - conceptually I think you have a great original idea and when you get around to it you tell it well. However - in my opinion you do too much rambling - certainly too early in the story, you are right in that this story needs the personality of the tellers, their thoughts and opinions - and it is what will make this story work but but not so wordy so quickly. Somebody on thie site suggested reading sections out of order as then you see the words again not your memory of the story, it might be worth a try. However - I am just another attention seeking author - so I could be totally wrong as well! Best wishes, Hapless

Wonderful writing in this great book, I had to stop reading (at work) and hated doing so...I could have listened to Paul on and on..."Whisky meet xanax and multiply..." description of a Southern California night, just sparkling prose with a heart. Backed with awe.

Kind of interesting style. I like the traditional style a bit more, so this was kind of hard to read, but it was still pretty good =]
backed
~Zero, No Title Needed

Just living off the proceeds of a solitary book, a small royalty check that arrives, a booze and drug addicted writer must find the courage to write a eulogy because his Nan is dying, a subject he fears the most. The brooding becomes deeper and darker, the addiction worser, the window he's trapped in smaller.
Dependency as opposed to independency is I feel the greater fear. The whole country celebrates the latter, but the former is left to decay, adding to the anxiety, for we are all dependent on things.
Great incites, backed with pleasure.
Daniel Manning
No Compatibiliy

Dark and intense. You've a gift for burrowing inside Paul's head and showing us all the demons at work there. Your prose is nicely descriptive and insightful, too.

I'm more than happy to back your book, and wish you well with it. :)

Pete

Not my genre at all, but I can see this doing well in the bookstores (or increasingly on the e-book lists, but personally I need pages between my hands). Well written and vived in a style that cleverly thumbs its nose at "conventional" writing rules. Good luck.

Steve,
I read the first three chapters then hopscotched to the last, hoping for a sign of a happy ending, asking myself, do lives ever have happy ending? I doubt it. You sure can write, and this has to be one of the most painful books I've ever read. Families...expectations...reality...drugs, I found myself caught up in the pain. Your story is too true, too real, and I found myself angry. We (the collective we) work real hard to gloss over the pain, and here you pulling us into our own memories of pain. Eulogies is good Steve. Really good.
Caroline
KC Hart
Summer Rose

Raw. Visceral. And superb.

Backed without hesitation.

It only took the pitch, the cover, and the first paragraph for me to know that I wanted to back this - and that I wanted to carry on reading it... 'Technicolour Eulogies' is absolutely my kind of thing and, glancing at your list of favourite books, this shouldn't entirely surprise me. But it is far more than the sum of its influences: it is jagged, crackling, vernacular madness of the most sane kind and if doesn't get published - well, that would be a shitty outcome. Do well with it, Steven, make it noisy and big and impossible to ignore.

Ivan

WOW! Steve, I must say, the most unusual read I've come across, and yet, my favorite! Your writing is...well, bloody brilliant, and say that with no sarcasm. I love all that I've read and intend to return and read more. When you make it to editing, (and you will) don't you let them cut up your work, your rule breaking is what makes it "work" I love your style and wish you well with this fine work of art!
Christi Watson
WONDER- A Thief of Life Novel

I am laughing my butt off. Darkly hysterical. This is really quite a unique idea. The short pitch had me immediately. Its a comedy.... that it is, that it is!
Carrie
The Darkwood Tales; Demouri's Defeat

Hi Steven - Just checked out the first three chapters of your book as promised and liked it. Esp liked the dialogue, short punchy chapters and the natural pace to your writting. Backed.
Adrian Lee

Good story, with a nice idea that seems to be developing well in the fairly short section I read (from a couple of chapters). I did think that chapter one meandered a bit too much for an opening, made it hard to get into the story, but that may be just a matter of personal preference. Backed.

TECHNICOLOR EULOGIES - 8/3/2010

Your unique style lends authenticity to the story, although it is a bit overdone in places. Some of the asides could be scaled back or eliminated to move the story along faster. The nested parentheses are confusing. I became distracted at times by the wayward flow of the thoughts. Parts of it seem like rambling and unrelated to the story. I had to read parts of it over to understand what was going on. Perhaps a bit of tweaking with the thought thing might make it more readable.

The similes and metaphors are effective in bringing the scenes to life. The MC is a bit bizarre, but then so is the story. Very entertaining. A bit more attention is needed on the story line itself with fewer detours around empty thoughts. But I like your work. Good luck with it.

Marc - Where's The Ivy

Unique, yet authentic and some brilliant creativity blended with rich descriptions. Although sometimes the simplicity speaks miles. This is very reflective and thought provoking, and although I have finished reading I am still contemplating.

Backed

Ww Lisa

Read a bit and liked what I read. Backed with pleasure. Lizzie Scott :-)

I read chapter 4 and 5. The poet in me loves your descriptions and I like your easy-to-read style. Backed.

OMG! did JayG really go off on the public school system AGAIN!! that's all he ever does. first he goes off on the book and then the school system. lol you would think that someone as old and bald as him would have cultivated a little wisdom in his old age, and learned not to be an ass when its not necessary. anyway, you have an interesting story here. i could really identify with the character, and hope you do well withit. you do tend to be passive. and you need to narrate less. i would edit for flow, passive writing, and more action. all an all an intersting read with great potential. i will back your writing and wish you well. please read some of my book when you have time and let me know what you think.


cheers
blueboy

This isn't my usual read but I've enjoyed the chapters I've read. Will keep on my watchlist for now.
Paula L

An excellent pitch and a good start. Shelved. I hope to read more later.

Cheers
Elaine

Hi Steven

I thought I would read chapter 3 and here's what I found: I like the dialogue - it's natural and engrossing. I think it needs editing down, it's kind of repetitive, and although that may be the style, well, it's still kind of repetitive. The possessive pronoun for "its" doesn't have an apostrophe in it. I like the stoned delivery. I wouldn't mind hanging out with these guys a while. Backed.

Nicole (Chosen)

I think this might find a home. It could be a little sharper, for my taste, but it is obviously very agreeable to a number of people. I was thinking hmm, this isn't my kind of thing, nah, not really... And was at the end of chapter three before I realised, which certainly says something. Good luck with it. KA

The best kind of stories are the ones that drag us into further in by the first paragraph; yours does this. I love where this book is headed. If I have one criticism, it's that some of the sentences aren't complete. It feels like they're missing words, and I'm not sure what you're trying to say. However, I'm still going to back you!

Sarah "Choosing Love"

Technicolor Eulogies-

Stunning use of metaphor appears effortless here. Imagery is top drawer. This is first person done through the imperfect mind of an unreliable MC in a way we can all relate. I love the haphazard style, like thoughts tumbling forth from a scattered mind to paper. We've all been there though not many would admit it. Not like this--with a soul bared to the world.

This books pulls no punches. Excellent reading. Great writing. Honored to back this. -Barb

Not a book I would have chosen to read normally (due to the characters' penchants, lifestyles and hence language!), but the writing is polished and the dialogue reads naturalistically. The mixed up anger at the impending death feels realistic; backed, Carolyn.

Paul has a strong voice, which he needs to carry of the dark humor. I not so sure that he does it very well though. Maybe it just didn't find my funny bone but I didn't find it funny. Sorry best of luck with it though.

Luv black comedy as you may have guessed. Technicolor Eulogies makes for me fascinating reading. Whilst my own take is soo British your's is soo American and its great fun. A very distinctive style too ...
Looked at chap 7 - think its creative bent!

Steven,

This is probably something I wouldn't normally pick to read, but I like your wrting style and you write in a clear concise manner. I have no doubt that the people who favor this genre would enjoy this. I did too, but with limited time I tend to stick to only a couple a genres.

I have no hesitation in backing this!

Laurie - Into The Master's Lair

I must say that this work is very similar to a book I am currently reading called A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Dave Eggers, in two ways. He also discusses the cancer of death of a terminally ill relative. In his case, though, it is his mother. The other similarity is your writing style.

I am by no means saying that you are trying to be Dave Eggers, or are consciously micmicking his style; on the contrary, I think your writing style, sans Eggers, is extremely unique. I like the way you just throw your thoughts down on paper, not constrained to the typical grammatical rules. Although I must say, you obviously know the rules, because you also know how to break them with such class, that it blows my mind. I wish I could write like this.

That said, a couple of nitpicks:

You wrote, "...upon the cd's that we leave..." Remove the apostrophe and capitalize CDs. It is neither possessive nor a contraction.

Also, in the previous sentence that starts, "Gets tangled in hair the dust mites of our skin..." I see where you are going with your unique style...again, just throwing random thoughts down on paper, which of course, really represent your current frame of mind when dealing with your dying mother. But it seems to me to be missing a word somewhere in there. The rest, as random as it is, works for me, but I think you left out a word or two.

Again, your writing style works well, but remember to keep it in perspective. Feel free to break the rules, but make sure it still makes sense.

Unbelievable...
Backed.
Mike

You have a unique voice and I like the quirky sardonic tone to your writing. I did get a little lost in parts, but overall, a great read.

Backed.

Kind regards,

Jodi
x-Evalesco-x

good depiction of life as a writer

This is unique - such a sense of style. I love the flowing mix of thought and dialogue. It sets the tone for the whole piece. Beautiful.

Abi xxx

Figurative, poetic and indeed a tad shizophrenic. As any intelligent neurotic would be under the circumstances this famil finds itself in. The stream of conciousess like methodology of your prose is couched in sufficient descriptio to keep the passages coherent. Most folk who utilise this method of style end up with far more uneven and indecipherable script.
Its really nice to see the 'competent' execution of such an uncommon style as that is exceedingly rare.
It still needs a little thinning on the ground in regards to the overly dense portions of descriptive writing. I'm not sure there is a need to wax lyrical (even if it is so beautifully done) over all aspects of his journey in CHptr 1 as some of these adjective laden sentences may well detract or distract from the central theme.
Not every layer added, however well done enhances the story itself. Of courwse this is only my rather subjective opinion but I hope it is of service in some way to you.
Otherwise, Technicolor Eulogies is like catching sight of a truly rare creature. It is a pleasure to read and certainly something I would like to see in print someday soon. Will keep reading as its facscinating in more ways than one.
Cheers, Karim

Figurative, poetic and indeed a tad shizophrenic. As any intelligent neurotic would be under the circumstances this famil finds itself in. The stream of conciousess like methodology of your prose is couched in sufficient descriptio to keep the passages coherent. Most folk who utilise this method of style end up with far more uneven and indecipherable script.
Its really nice to see the 'competent' execution of such an uncommon style as that is exceedingly rare.
It still needs a little thinning on the ground in regards to the overly dense portions of descriptive writing. I'm not sure there is a need to wax lyrical (even if it is so beautifully done) over all aspects of his journey in CHptr 1 as some of these adjective laden sentences may well detract or distract from the cenral theme.
Not every layer added, however well done enhances the story itself. Of courwse this is only my rather subjective opinion but I hope it is of service in some way to you.
Otherwise, Technicolor Eulogies is like catching sight of a truly rare creature. It is a pleasure to read and certainly something I would like to see in print someday soon. Will keep reading as its facscinating in more ways than one.
Cheers, Karim

Really good writing, this needs to get published.

Steven, I've read the first four chapters and have to stop. This book really reaches out to me. Brilliantly observed and written. And to think if you hadnt been on to my site I might never have seen it! Thank you, I have bookmarked this wonderful peice of work to finish when I've enough time to do it justice. Chris Miles.

I have to be honest. I can't decide if this is really good - or not. I read chapter six, glanced at a couple of the other and am sorry I haven't got time to do more.
There is some fantastic writing and some wonderful images 'skinny string of sunlight'. You can definitely write. It's not easy reading, a bit too disjointed, a bit too James Joyce. Maybe it's brilliant as it is. Maybe it needs work/editing. Not helpful really, sorry.
But infinite potential. Definitely backed.
Alison Tom's Daughters

You handle dialogue and narrative in an unique manner. At first I felt as if I was watching a Woody Allen movie without the humour but the more I read I cancelled that thought and replaced it with the obvious - it's your style. I like the stream of consciousness paragraphs that allow the reader to focus on Paul's flawed character in order that we should feel sympathy towards his predicament. Your writing is fast paced. The only bit I didn't like were the line breaks in Ch 2 - I don't think they are necessary - a very minor point. Good luck Backed Rab14

Great writing skill and excellently excicuted.

BACKED INDEED

Hope you get the chance to peek inside The Russian Hat. I could do with a lift.

warm wishes

Brendan

Thank you for backing Kidnapped: The President's Family. I took a look at your novel this morning. I usually read about three chapters befor backing a book and return each night for another couple. I have reead six chapters of your book already, I have enjoyed it so much. I back it with pleasure and wish you all the success in the world. I will be back tonight to read more chapters.

Mark Mane Kidnapped: The President's Family and other titles.

Hi Steven, Its a very unusual story and I certainly read more than one or two chapters.. It makes me wonder is this MC psychic or just with a few marbles missing. Well Done and I Back the book. Harold Alvin(ICON)Wesley